Matis Leray finishes sixth in ultra-trail race

Matis Leray, a former long-distance cross-country skier from Team Nordic Expérience Coste – Fromageries Marcel Petite, finished sixth in the Diagonale des Fous ultra-trail race on the island of Reunion. This race is known for its extreme difficulty and attracts elite athletes from around the world.

Diagonale des Fous race details

The Diagonale des Fous race, which took place on Thursday at 8:00 p.m., covers 180.5 kilometers with nearly 10,000 meters of positive elevation gain. This makes it one of the most challenging ultra-trail races in the world.

Hugo Deck wins the race

Hugo Deck won the race with a time of 22 hours, 54 minutes, and 19 seconds. His performance highlights the high level of competition in the event, as athletes must endure both physical and mental challenges over the course of two days.

Leray's notable performance

Leray, who was 32nd in the UTMB in 2024 and fourth in the TDS in 2025, achieved a notable performance in his new sport. This result shows his ability to transition successfully from cross-country skiing to ultra-running.

Leray's race progress

He remained in the top 10 during the crossing of the island and reached Saint-Denis from Saint-Pierre in sixth place with a time of 25 hours, 53 minutes, and 25 seconds. His consistent performance throughout the race is a testament to his endurance and preparation.

Leray finishes ahead of Tom Evans

Leray finished ahead of British runner Tom Evans, who won the UTMB in 2025. This victory by Evans in the UTMB adds to the prestige of Leray’s sixth-place finish in the Diagonale des Fous.